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"There is an easy way to select texts that does not involve the use of readability formulae: try reading them. Recreat... More

GROUNDHOG WEATHER SCHOOL;

Summary: It is Groundhog Day and Rabbit is expecting spring! He sends a letter to Groundhog about the bad forecast. That's when Groundhog decides he needs help - he invites animals to attend Groundhog Weather School. There is lots to learn! This picture book offers lessons in weather, weather science, and the legend of the groundhog.

Type of Reading: family reading, playtime reading, learning to read, read aloud book

Recommended Age: read together: 4 to 8; read yourself: 8 to 10

Interest Level: 4 to 8

Reading Level: 3.7

Young Reader Reaction: Review pending.

Adult Reader Reaction: I liked the concept, but found the book overwhelming. It starts out as a story, turns into pages of nonfiction inserts, and then comes back to story format (but in a different way). I tried to imagine reading this aloud with a class, but really struggled.

Pros: This groundhog burrow is filled with tons of facts, plenty of puns, and a class full of cute groundhogs.

Cons: If you're looking for a 'pure' story, this is not it. The narrative moves all about the page and they are crammed with text.

Borrow or Buy: Borrow. This is a seasonal book that is packed with lots of good elementary science information.

Educational Themes: There is a ton of information that can be parsed out: groundhog habits and habitat; important people in weather science and their contributions; and weather science factors. There is also a math angle in understanding predictions and odds.

Notes: The author donated a copy of an ARC edition of this book to the Reading Tub, Inc. during KidLitCon 2009. This is an unsolicited donation.